How to buy a car from a private seller — and what to watch for
Buying a car from a private seller can save you money, but take precautions.
About the author
Rebecca Betterton, a Certified Financial Education Instructor℠, is a former writer for Bankrate who has been reporting on auto loans since 2021. Through her writing, Rebecca aims to provide clarity and accessibility to the automotive loans industry as the cost of financing new and used vehicles continues to climb due to steep inflation.
She specializes in assisting readers in navigating the ins and outs of securely borrowing money to purchase a car, but recently widened her scope to cover personal loans and other debt topics. Prior to her time at Bankrate, she was a social media reporter and copywriter.
When Rebecca isn’t researching recent trends in personal finance, she is an avid runner and a lover of interior design.
Buying a car from a private seller can save you money, but take precautions.
Consider the state of the market before shopping Presidents Day car sales.
Check out how much a car detail might cost you.
If you have fair or poor credit, consider Auto Approve and Ally for refinancing.
Compare a few credit-builder loan options to secure the right one for you.
Co-signing and co-owning are two ways to add a borrower when taking out a car loan.
You can check out a few different loan options at once using a marketplace, all online.
The best route for buying a car depends on the type of experience you prefer.
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